Does Paulsen’s peril herald end to congressional protege ascensions?

If state Rep. Erik Paulsen loses his race to replace retiring 3rd District U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, it will be the second straight election cycle in which a former staffer fails to succeed the veteran Minnesota congressman he served, despite his mentor’s endorsement. Coattails that once withstood even party-endorsement snubs now appear too tattered to pull proteges into office.